Uncovering of Embezzlement of Approximately 450,000,000 AMD by Officials

The National Security Service of Armenia, adhering to the principle of uprooting various manifestations of corruption, has uncovered a case of embezzlement of public funds of particularly large amounts as a result of operational-investigative measures and judicial actions carried out within the framework of its anti-corruption duties.

Specifically, factual data has been obtained indicating that several responsible officials from the Yerevan City Hall and the administrative districts, contrary to the interests of service, failed to perform their official powers and abused their official position, inadequately monitoring the activities of 'Davars' LLC, which was contracted in 2014 to service waste disposal from multi-apartment buildings, transport construction waste, and clean riverbeds.

The officials ignored the regular violations of contract terms by the company, signed execution acts prepared by the company’s employees with inflated data, as well as the acceptance-transfer protocols for the works and services rendered. As a result, out of 1,862,000,000 AMD transferred to the company during 2015-2019, approximately 450,000,000 AMD of public funds were embezzled through wasteful spending methods.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated in the Investigative Department of the NSS of Armenia under the relevant articles of the Criminal Code, with a pre-investigation underway. Measures are being taken to clarify all circumstances of the case and the scope of individuals involved in the corruption chain, to hold them accountable, and to determine and recover the amount of damages caused.

Note: A suspect or accused of the alleged crime is presumed innocent until proven guilty in accordance with the procedure established by the Criminal Procedure Code of Armenia by a legally binding court verdict.